Whooping cough | definition of whooping cough by Medical dictionary Whooping cough | definition of whooping cough by Medical dictionary Related to whooping cough: croup Whooping Cough Definition Whooping cough , also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease which causes classic spasms (paroxysms) of uncontrollable coughing, followed by a sharp, high-pitched intake of air which creates the characteristic "whoop" of the disease's name. Description Whooping cough is caused by a bacteria called Bordatella pertussis. B. pertussis causes its most severe symptoms by attaching itself to those cells in the respiratory tract which have cilia. Cilia are small, hair-like projections that beat continuously, and serve to constantly sweep the respiratory tract clean of such debris as mucus, bacteria, viruses, and dead cells. When B. pertussis interferes with this normal, janitorial function, mucus and cellular debris accumulate and cause constant irritation to the respiratory tract, triggering coughing and increasing further mucus production. Whooping cough is a disease which exists throughout the world.

While people of any age can contract whooping cough, children under the age of two are at the highest risk for both the disease and for serious complications and death . Apparently, exposure to B. pertussis bacteria earlier in life gives a person some immunity against infection with it later on. Subsequent infections resemble the common cold . Causes and symptoms Whooping cough has four somewhat overlapping stages: incubation, catarrhal stage, paroxysmal stage, and convalescent stage. An individual usually acquires B. pertussis by inhaling droplets infected with the bacteria coughed into the air by someone already suffering with the infection. Incubation is the symptomless period of seven to14 days after breathing in the B. pertussis bacteria, and during which the bacteria multiply and penetrate the lining tissues of the entire respiratory tract. The catarrhal stage is often mistaken for an exceedingly heavy cold. The patient has teary eyes, sneezing, fatigue , poor appetite, and an extremely runny nose (rhinorrhea). This stage lasts about 10-14 days. The paroxysmal stage, lasting two to four weeks, begins with the development of the characteristic whooping cough.

Spasms of uncontrollable coughing, the "whooping" sound of the sharp inspiration of air, and vomiting are all hallmarks of this stage. The whoop is believed to occur due to inflammation and mucous which narrow the breathing tubes, causing the patient to struggle to get air into his/her lungs; the effort results in intense exhaustion. The paroxysms (spasms) can be induced by over activity, feeding, crying, or even overhearing someone else cough. The mucus which is produced during the paroxysmal stage is thicker and more difficult to clear than the more watery mucus of the catarrhal stage, and the patient becomes increasingly exhausted attempting to clear the respiratory tract through coughing. Severely ill children may have great difficult maintaining the normal level of oxygen in their systems, and may appear somewhat blue after a paroxysm of coughing, due to the low oxygen content of their blood. Such children may also suffer from swelling and degeneration of the brain (encephalopathy), which is believed to be caused both by lack of oxygen to the brain during paroxysms, and also by bleeding into the brain caused by increased pressure during coughing.

Seizures may result from decreased oxygen to the brain. Some children have such greatly increased abdominal pressure during coughing that hernias result (hernias are the abnormal protrusion of a loop of intestine through a weak area of muscle). Another complicating factor during this phase is the development of pneumonia from infection with another bacterial agent; the bacteria takes hold due to the patient's already-weakened condition. If the patient survives the paroxysmal stage, recovery occurs gradually during the convalescent stage, usually taking about three to four weeks. However, spasms of coughing may continue to occur over a period of months, especially when a patient contracts a cold, or other respiratory infection. Diagnosis Diagnosis based just on the patient's symptoms is not particularly accurate, as the catarrhal stage may appear to be a heavy cold, a case of the flu, or a simple bronchitis . Other viruses and tuberculosis infections can cause symptoms similar to those found during the paroxysmal stage. The presence of a pertussis-like cough along with an increase of certain specific white blood cells (lymphocytes) is suggestive of pertussis (whooping cough). However, cough can occur from other pertussis-like viruses.

The most accurate method of diagnosis is to culture (grow on a laboratory plate) the organisms obtained from swabbing mucus out of the nasopharynx (the breathing tube continuous with the nose). B. pertussis can then be identified by examining the culture under a microscope. Treatment Treatment with the antibiotic erythromycin is helpful only at very early stages of whooping cough, during incubation and early in the catarrhal stage. After the cilia and the cells bearing those cilia, are damaged, the process cannot be reversed. Such a patient will experience the full progression of whooping cough symptoms; symptoms will only improve when the old, damaged lining cells of the respiratory tract are replaced over time with new, healthy, cilia-bearing cells. However, treatment with erythromycin is still recommended, to decrease the likelihood of B. pertussis spreading. In fact, all members of the household where a patient with whooping cough lives should be treated with erythromycin to prevent the spread of B. pertussis throughout the community. The only other treatment is supportive, and involves careful monitoring of fluids to prevent dehydration , rest in a quiet, dark room to decrease paroxysms, and suctioning of mucus.

Prognosis Just under 1% of all cases of whooping cough cause death. Children who die of whooping cough usually have one or more of the following three conditions present: severe pneumonia, perhaps with accompanying encephalopathy extreme weight loss, weakness, and metabolic abnormalities due to persistent vomiting during paroxysms of coughing other pre-existing conditions, so that the patient is already in a relatively weak, vulnerable state (such conditions may include low birth weight babies, poor nutrition , infection with the measles virus, presence of other respiratory or gastrointestinal infections or diseases) Prevention The mainstay of prevention lies in programs similar to the mass immunization program in the United States which begins immunization inoculations when infants are two months old. The pertussis vaccine, most often given as one immunization together with diphtheria and tetanus , has greatly reduced the incidence of whooping cough. Unfortunately, there has been some concern about serious neurologic side effects from the vaccine itself. This concern led huge numbers of parents in England, Japan, and Sweden to avoid immunizing their children, which in turn has led to major epidemics of disease in those countries.

However, several carefully constructed research studies have disproved the idea that the pertussis vaccine is the cause of neurologic damage. Furthermore, a newer formulation of the pertussis vaccine is available. Unlike the old whole cell pertussis vaccine, which is composed of the entire bacterial cell which has been deactivated (and therefore unable to cause infection), the newer acellular pertussis vaccine does not use a whole cell of the bacteria, but is made up of (between two and five) chemical components of the B. pertussis bacteria. The acellular pertussis vaccine appears to greatly reduce the risk of unpleasant reactions to the vaccine, including high fever and discomfort following vaccination . Resources Periodicals Jenkinson, Douglas. "Natural Course of 500 Consecutive Casesof Whooping Cough: A General Practice Population Study." British Medical Journal310, no. 6975 (February 4, 1995): 299+. Key terms Cilia — Tiny, hair-like projections from a cell. In the respiratory tract, cilia beat constantly in order to move mucus and debris up and out of the respiratory tree, in order to protect the lung from infection or irritation by foreign bodies.

Encephalopathy — Swelling and degeneration of the brain. whooping cough [ho̳p´ing kof] an infectious disease characterized by catarrh of the respiratory tract and peculiar paroxysms of coughing, ending in a prolonged crowing or whooping respiration; the causative organism is Bordetella pertussis. Called also pertussis . Whooping cough is a serious and widespread disease, with about 300,000 cases a year reported in the United States. Although it may attack at any age, most cases occur in children under 10, and half of these are in children under 5. The organisms are spread by the victim's coughing and sneezing and by objects he has touched. The incubation period is usually about 7 days, although it may vary between 2 and 21 days. Unlike other respiratory diseases, whooping cough is more likely to occur in spring and summer than in winter. It affects females much more often than males. Symptoms. Whooping cough frequently starts with a running nose, a slight fever, and a persistent cough. This stage usually lasts about 2 weeks. After this, the child feels chilled and begins to vomit.

His coughing increases. He begins to cough in spells of eight to ten times in one breath. This forces the air from the lungs, and the face may turn purple or blue from the effort and the shortage of air. Finally he catches his breath in a long, noisy intake, or “whoop.” In the very young (under 6 months) the true whoop is often not present, even when paroxysms are severe and frequent. The coughing stage of the disease usually lasts 4 to 6 weeks, and the coughing may be very severe at night. Then the coughing spells become less frequent and less severe until the disease has run its course. Stage three (convalescent stage) may last from 4 months to 2 years. The coughing spells diminish but the patient usually experiences them again each time he has an upper respiratory infection. Complications of whooping cough include pneumonia, atelectasis, and emphysema; of these, pneumonia is the most serious, accounting for 90 per cent of the fatalities in young children. Brain damage, another complication, should be suspected if convulsive seizures occur in the pertussis patient. Immunization.

An attack of whooping cough gives immunity but does not confer life-long immunity. The vaccine usually is given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus and is available as a preparation that should be given intramuscularly, preferably in the lateral thigh. Treatment and Patient Care. Precautions against the spread of the disease entail following respiratory isolation precautions for 7 days after effective therapy is begun. Recommendations for preventive measures after exposure can be found in the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Hospital Personnel. Treatment is primarily supportive, including bed rest as long as the fever persists, antibiotics to avoid secondary infections, and antipyretics to control fever. In very serious cases, especially in infants, whooping cough may cause severe breathing difficulties. Suction may be necessary at frequent intervals to remove accumulations of mucus from the air passages. Fatalities, particularly in infants, are not uncommon. A proper diet is essential during whooping cough. Because vomiting may be a problem, small frequent feedings of bland foods are considered best.

per·tus·sis (per-tŭs'is), An acute infectious inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi caused by Bordetella pertussis; characterized by recurrent bouts of spasmodic coughing that continues until the breath is exhausted, then ending in a noisy inspiratory stridor (the "whoop") caused by laryngeal spasm. (ho͞o′pĭng, wo͞o′-, hwo͞o′-, ho͝op′ĭng) n. A highly contagious disease of the respiratory system, usually affecting children, that is caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis and is characterized in its advanced stage by spasms of coughing interspersed with deep, noisy inspirations. Also called pertussis. whooping cough See pertussis .

whooping cough Pediatrics The characteristic cough of pertussis, which infects ± 60 million and kills 1 million/year worldwide, caused by the gram-negative nonmotile Bordetella pertussis; the 'whoop' occurs during the paroxysmal stage of infection–1-2 wks after onset, lasting 2-6 wks; a 'paroxysm' consists of 10-20 coughs of ↑ intensity, a deep inspiration–the 'whoop' after which a thick, viscid plug of mucus is expelled, occasionally with vomiting; the paroxysms may occur every1⁄2 hr, often accompanied by ↑ venous pressure, plethoric conjunctivae, periorbital edema, petechiae and epistaxis, infants may be cyanotic until relieved of the obstructing plug of mucus Management Supportive; young infants may need hospitalization if coughing is severe Prevention Immunization with DPT vaccine. See DTP .

per·tus·sis (pĕr-tŭs'is) An acute infectious inflammation of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi caused by Bordetella pertussis; characterized by recurrent bouts of spasmodic coughing that continues until the breath is exhausted, then ends in a noisy inspiratory stridor (the "whoop") caused by laryngeal spasm. [L. per, very (intensive), + tussis, cough] whooping cough An acute, highly infectious, disease of early childhood acquired by droplet infection and caused by the organism Bordetella pertussis . For the first 2 weeks the infection resembles a common cold but then a characteristic cough develops. There is a succession of short, rapid coughs with no time to draw breath between them. This is followed by a long, inspiration with a whooping sound. From 3 to 50 paroxysms of coughing may occur and these are very exhausting. The final paroxysm in a series is often followed by vomiting. The cough may persist for weeks.

Whooping cough may be complicated by OTITIS MEDIA , PNEUMONIA , collapse of part of a lung or seizures from lack of oxygen to the brain. Vomiting may interfere with nutrition. Antibiotics are of no value once the cough has developed but if given earlier reduce the severity of the disease. All babies should be immunized against whooping cough unless there is a sound medical objection. Also known as pertussis. whooping cough an infectious disease, common in children, caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, in which there is firstly a range of symptoms similar to the common cold; these then develop into severe coughing, usually ending in a characteristic ‘whoop’ as air is breathed in. Frequently there is vomiting, and lung damage often occurs if ANTIBIOTICS such as erythromycin are not administered. In some cases, particularly in very young children, whooping cough can be fatal. whooping cough, n a bacterial disease triggered by Bordetella pertussis. The illness is characterized by the distinctive spasmodic cough, difficult-to-dislodge mucus, and general weakness.

per·tus·sis Pertussis Pertussis Bordetella pertussis bacteria Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Pertussis is a stubborn respiratory disease caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. It is better known as “whooping cough” because of the deep “whooping” sound it causes. Pertussis affects people of all ages, although it is of most concern among very young children. Child with pertussis (whooping cough). Image source: Wikipedia/ CDC (public domain image) At the turn of the 20th century, pertussis killed 5 out of every 1000 children before their fifth birthday, mostly infants younger than 12 months of age. Severe cases, especially among infants too young to be immunized, can lead to permanent lung damage, hernias, brain damage, blindness, and sometimes death. Pertussis begins much like any other respiratory infection, but soon the most serious stage of the disease - the “100 day cough”- starts, marked by coughing fits that can last for several minutes.

In young children especially, the severity and frequency of coughing means that they become out of breath and may vomit, faint or have a seizure. Before the first effective pertussis vaccine became available in Canada in the late 1930s, pertussis case incidence rates reached some 156 per 100,000 nationally in most years, reaching a peak of over 19,878 cases in 1940 (or 175 cases per 100,000). Today, the number of cases each year in Canada ranges between 1,000 and 3,000. Pertussis incidence in Ontario, 1880-1934. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Pertussis incidence in Canada, 1924-2002. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Infectious diseases isolation instructions, c.

1940s Museum of Health Care, accession #997002491 In Ontario, there were 214 deaths in the province in 1907 officially attributed to whooping cough, 141 of which involved children less than 1 year of age. However, there was considerable under-reporting of the disease, as one Toronto physician stressed in a 1915 Public Health Journal article. He was “anxious to put the question of Whooping Cough in its full light, so that something definite may be done, and done soon, to correct a condition of affairs which is, so say the least, deplorable.” This was particularly true in Toronto, where “practically nothing” was being done “to control this terrible disease.” It was a reportable disease, “but there is no doubt that very few of the cases are reported.

They are constantly turning up at the Out-Patient Department of the Hospital for Sick Children and in this way they infect hundreds of other children before the disease is diagnosed.” In Ontario, pertussis epidemics were most severe in 1906 (1,076 cases and 240 deaths), 1912 (1,414 cases and 419 deaths), 1925 (3,827 cases and 273 deaths), 1929 (4,897 cases and 194 deaths) and the worst in 1936 (7,890 cases and 112 deaths) just before a new pertussis vaccine was introduced. While the numbers of pertussis cases fell to lower levels by the 1940s, the numbers of deaths due to pertussis in Canada fell to almost zero by the late 1950s. Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral patent medicine, which would “cure” whooping cough, c.

1870-1906 Museum of Health Care, accession #1977.12.218 Personal Perspectives on Pertussis Humphrey’s Homeopathic No. 20, treatment for whooping cough, c. 1890s Museum of Health Care, accession #1980.18-160 As the most susceptible to the severest effects of pertussis are infants and very young children, gaining a first person personal perspective of the experience of this disease is difficult. However, physicians who encountered whooping cough all too frequently before an effective vaccine brought the disease under control, can provide some poignant perspective on how it was experienced, as Dr. R. Cameron Stewart did in the March 1938 issue of The Canadian Nurse: “Chestnut” over-the-counter treatment, employed chiefly in whooping cough, Park, Davis, c. 1930s Museum of Health Care, accession #000001016 “An attack of whooping cough is an ordeal for the patient and also for his family. The coughing, whooping and vomiting, recurring all too frequently, are disturbing and messy episodes to everyone within sight or hearing.

The unavoidably long period of quarantine involves much loss of time for school children and for adults employed outside the home. Lacking any means of prophylaxis easily applied and of proved efficacy, control of epidemics is a difficult problem for the public health authorities and those in charge of children’s institutions. Medical treatment is tedious, often expensive, and usually not particularly satisfactory. The well-being of the patient rests largely with the nurse.” A further perspective on the family impact of pertussis during this period can be gained through the lens of a newspaper reporter. Greg Clark is a Toronto Star reporter who, in a December 13, 1934 story in support of the “Star Santa Clause Fund” profiled an unlucky family during the Depression with an 18-month old child stricken with whooping cough. “Whooping cough, as you know, takes its time. It starts with one and a week later, it takes on another. The 18-months-old baby has it now. He is old enough to be toddling. He doesn’t want to stay in bed all day. He is full of ginger.

But every little while, and especially about midnight or two o’clock in the morning, he is ripped and racked and torn by incredible storms of coughing and of pain; and everyone is awake and terrified in the night.” Video of a young boy showing the distinctive sound of whooping cough. Source: CDC A further perspective on the personal experience of pertussis through the eyes of adolescents and adults is provided in this video, “Pertussis in Adults and Adolescents,” Pasteur Mérieux Connaught, 1999 Early Battles Against Pertussis Guillaume De Baillou, 16th century physician first described disease that would become known as “whooping cough.” Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Guillaume De Baillou (1538-1616) was the first to formally describe a disease very much like whooping cough after an epidemic in Paris in 1578. He referred to this distinctive disease as “quinte,” but it was also known variously as “dog bark” in Italy, “chin cough” or “kin cough” in England and the “100 day cough” in China.

It was not until 1679 that Thomas Sydenham first gave this disease the scientific Latin name, “infantum pertussis,” to formally describe a thorough or violent (“per”) cough (“tussis”) of any kind. Jules Bordet, identified Bordetella pertussis as cause of the disease, 1900-06. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada More than two centuries would pass before the infection-causing bacterium was first identified. In 1900, the team of Jules Bordet (1870-1961) and Octave Gengou (1875-1957) at the Pasteur Institute in Brussels discovered the cause of pertussis after isolating a bacterium they later called Bordetella pertussis. In 1906, they were able to cultivate B. pertussis from a sputum sample collected from Bordet’s five-month-old daughter suffering from whooping cough using a solid artificial media. Gengou also isolated B. pertussis from his young son.

Gengou was a Belgian bacteriologist who went on to develop the first pertussis vaccine in 1912, based on killed B. pertussis bacteria. By 1914, whooping cough vaccines for prevention, but particularly for treatment of active cases, were prepared by several labs in Europe and the U.S. using stock or standard strains of B. pertussis, although establishing their value was a challenge. A Canadian supply of pertussis vaccine was first prepared in 1919 by the Ontario Provincial Laboratory and then Connaught Laboratories began producing it in the early 1920s. However, by this time a “fresh” approach to developing a more effective pertussis vaccine was emerging. This approach was based on a better understanding of the four phases in the natural history of the B. pertussis bacteria and the importance of using fresh “phase 1” strains of the bacteria for a vaccine, rather than standardized older and weaker supplies. Pertussis vaccine production record, Connaught Laboratories, March 1921. Note the standard strains used. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Pertussis vaccine (standard strain), Lederle Laboratories, c.

1920s. Museum of Health Care, accession #1997.2.7 Preparing a Fresher Generation of Pertussis Vaccine Children at the Whooping Cough Clinic, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, 1930s. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada During the mid-1930s, inspired by renewed international pertussis research, scientists at Connaught Laboratories, led by Dr. Nelles Silverthorne , a paediatrician based at the Hospital for Sick Children, worked to prepare and test a more effective pertussis vaccine. Operating in a “Whooping Cough Clinic,” Silverthorne focused on collecting fresh strains of the bacteria on cough plates from actual whooping cough cases and then cultivating and carefully inactivating these cells to prepare a vaccine. After conducting a series of small clinical trials in the Toronto area, by early 1937 Connaught began distributing the new pertussis vaccine, although supplies were limited due to the laborious production process. Seminal article by N. Silverthorne, D.T. Fraser and A.

Brown, describing whooping cough vaccine progress by Connaught Laboratories and the Hospital for Sick Children, 1937. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada In the early 1940s, in a quest to develop a more efficient method for pertussis vaccine production at Connaught, Dr. Robert J. Wilson began experiments based on a new fluid culture medium, while Drs. Leone Farrell and Edith Taylor focused on developing larger scale production methods, such as using a rocking bottle machine. In the early 1950s, Dr. Farrell would further adapt this method to make Salk polio vaccine production possible. By the early 1940s, while pertussis vaccine became more widely distributed, its use created a new challenge – an extra course of childhood needles. Thus, Dr. Robert J. Wilson spearheaded work on a DP vaccine, which combined pertussis vaccine with the well-established diphtheria toxoid to protect children against both diseases at the same time. By the mid-1940s, simultaneous protection against tetanus was also possible with DPT.

Similarly, after the introduction of the first polio vaccine in 1955, Connaught took the global lead in developing a new generation of combined vaccines, known as DPT-Polio, DT-Polio and T-Polio, which were launched in 1959. Pertussis vaccine (fresh strain), Connaught Laboratories, c. 1938 Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Combined Diphtheria Toxoid and Pertussis Vaccine (DP), Connaught Laboratories, 1943 Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Canada and Modern Pertussis Vaccines During the 1970s, after several improvements in the production of the fresh strain, or “whole cell” vaccine, concerns persisted about a possible connection between the pertussis vaccine and rare adverse reactions. Some parents declined to have their children immunized against pertussis, and some countries, such as Sweden and Japan, scaled back or suspended their pertussis immunization programs, inevitably resulting in significant spikes in pertussis incidence.

While scientific studies could not establish a direct connection between such reactions and the vaccine, during the 1980s, researchers, including at Connaught Laboratories, focused on developing a less potentially reactive and more effective “acellular” pertussis vaccine. It would be prepared from only the key components of the bacteria necessary to stimulate immunity. Diagram of Bordetella pertussis organism, highlighting the five most important antigenic components used for vaccine production, 1990s. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Component Pertussis Vaccine production facilities, Sanofi Pasteur Canada, Toronto, c. 2006. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada Pentacel®, Aventis Pasteur Canada, c. 2000, combination paediatric vaccine containing 5-component Pertussis vaccine, with Diphtheria toxoid, Tetanus toxoid, Polio and Hib vaccines. Sanofi Pasteur Canada Archives A team of researchers at Connaught first focused on isolating the pertussis toxin, the primary antigenic component of the B. pertussis bacterium. This team next developed methods to isolate four additional critical components of the bacterium.

They also pioneered a more efficient method for final chemical detoxification of these components, which were then standardized and expanded for large-scale production. Adacel® was introduced by Aventis Pasteur Canada in 1999, designed as a pertussis, diphtheria and tetanus vaccine booster for adolescents and adults. Image source: Sanofi Pasteur Canada In 1996, after extensive clinical trials in several countries, Connaught’s 5-component pertussis vaccine was licensed in Canada and soon exported globally. Connaught’s was among several similar acellular vaccines produced by vaccine companies, which were primarily administered in a variety of combination forms, such as Pentacel®, which simultaneously prevents diphtheria, tetanus, polio, Hib (haemophilus influenza b) and pertussis. However, even with the new generation of pertussis vaccine, many still suffer from pertussis and there are periodic outbreaks of the disease in Canada and elsewhere. World wide, whooping cough still affects 48.5 million people yearly, resulting in nearly 295,000 deaths. Significant sources of increased incidence in recent years have been adolescents and adults.

Pertussis immunity from childhood vaccinations fades over time, thus leaving older people vulnerable to pertussis infections. And while the disease is not as dangerous to adolescent and adults, they can easily transmit it to un-immunized, or incompletely immunized, young children and infants. Combined vaccines, such as ADACEL®, boost tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis immunity in adolescents and adults and provide indirect protection to the very young, who are most vulnerable to the worst effects of the disease. Pertussis | Whooping Cough | Causes and Transmission | CDC Causes and Transmission Español: Causas y transmisión Causes Pertussis, a respiratory illness commonly known as whooping cough, is a very contagious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis. These bacteria attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system. The bacteria release toxins (poisons), which damage the cilia and cause airways to swell. Transmission Pertussis is a very contagious disease only found in humans. It is spread from person to person.

People with pertussis usually spread the disease to another person by coughing or sneezing or when spending a lot of time near one another where you share breathing space. Many babies who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents, or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. Infected people are most contagious up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins. Antibiotics may shorten the amount of time someone is contagious. While pertussis vaccines are the most effective tool we have to prevent this disease, no vaccine is 100% effective. If pertussis is circulating in the community, there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person, of any age, can catch this very contagious disease. If you have been vaccinated but still get sick, the infection is usually not as bad. References Bisgard KM, Pascual FB, Ehresmann KR, et al. Infant pertussis: who was the source? Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004;23:985-89.

Whooping Cough Treatment, Sound, Symptoms & Pertussis Vaccine Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. Medical Editor: John Mersch, MD, FAAP John Mersch, MD, FAAP Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Share Your Story Whooping cough is a bacterial upper respiratory infection that leads to episodes of violent coughing.

The disease is named for the characteristic sound produced when affected individuals attempt to inhale; the whoop originates from the inflammation and swelling of the laryngeal structures (voice box) that vibrate when there is a rapid inflow of air during inspiration. The whoop in not often appreciated in infants and toddlers but will be recognized in older children, teens , and some adults (rarely). Infants and toddlers are more likely to have recurrent and frequent episodes of violent cough which may cause facial cyanosis (blue skin discoloration) and rarely apnea (cessation of breathing ). Whooping cough is highly contagious. The first outbreaks of whooping cough were described in the 16th century. The bacterium responsible for the infection, Bordetella pertussis, was not identified until 1906. In the pre-vaccination era (during the 1920s and '30s), there were over 250,000 cases of whooping cough per year in the U.S., with up to 9,000 deaths.

In the 1940s, the pertussis vaccine, combined with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids (DTP), was introduced. By 1976, the incidence of whooping cough in the U.S. had decreased by over 99%. During the 1980s, however, the incidence of whooping cough began to increase and has risen steadily, with epidemics typically occurring every three to five years in the U.S. In the epidemic of 2005, 25,616 cases were reported according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2008, over 13,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the U.S., resulting in 18 deaths. In 2010, which included an epidemic in California (see below), 27,550 cases of pertussis were reported nationwide. In 2012, over 48,000 cases of pertussis infection were reported in the U.S., the highest number of reported cases in one year since 1955.

Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 10/28/2016 Whooping cough - Better Health Channel Whooping cough Summary Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The major symptom of whooping cough is the characteristic cough, which is often followed by a 'whooping' sound on inhalation. One in every 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die. Immunisation is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious, contagious, respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The disease begins like a cold and then the characteristic cough develops. This cough may last up to three months, even after antibiotic treatment is completed and the person is no longer infectious. The 'whoop' (which is not always obvious) is due to a deep breath at the end of a bout of coughing. Vomiting after coughing is common. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for babies less than six months of age. They are affected more seriously by the disease than older children or adults, and are more likely to develop complications.

One in every 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die. Immunisation is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. Symptoms of whooping cough Whooping cough begins with symptoms similar to those of a cold. These can rapidly progress to include: severe cough – occurs in bouts characteristic 'whooping' sound on inhalation vomiting at the end of a bout of coughing apnoea – the child stops breathing for periods of time and may go blue. These symptoms may be associated with poor appetite, fatigue and dehydration. The person may appear normal between bouts of coughing. During the recovery, the cough gradually decreases, but can last up to three months. Complications of whooping cough Whooping cough is most serious in babies under 12 months of age. In young babies less than six months of age, the symptoms can be severe or life threatening. Seek urgent medical attention if your child's lips or skin go blue (cyanosis) or if they are having breathing difficulties associated with the coughing. Some of the complications of whooping cough in young babies include: haemorrhage (bleeding) death.

Causes of whooping cough The Bordetella pertussis bacterium is spread by airborne droplets from the upper respiratory tract (when the infected person coughs or sneezes) and is highly infectious. The time from infection to appearance of symptoms (incubation period) is between six and 20 days. A person is infectious for the first 21 days of their cough or until they have had five days of a 10-day course of antibiotics. In countries where immunisation rates are high, the risk of catching whooping cough is low. In Victoria, most reports of whooping cough currently occur in adults over 20 years of age. Recent research has shown that family members, household contacts and carers are the main source of whooping cough infection in babies. Diagnosis of whooping cough Whooping cough should be diagnosed and treated immediately. There are a number of tests for whooping cough, but they are not always reliable and the results may take some time. Treatment should not be withheld while waiting for these results. Tests used to diagnose whooping cough may include: medical history including immunisation status physical examination swabs of the nose and throat for laboratory testing.

Treatment for whooping cough In its early stages, the symptoms of whooping cough can be reduced by taking antibiotics. If treatment is given in the first 21 days of the illness, the risk of passing the infection to others might be reduced. Members of the infected person's household are at increased risk of acquiring the disease and are usually prescribed a strong antibiotic as a preventative measure, even if they are fully immunised. Immunisation against whooping cough In Victoria, the whooping cough vaccine is only available in a number of combined vaccines that also contain protection against other serious and potentially fatal diseases. The type of combined vaccine used for immunisation will depend on the person's age group. Children need to follow the full schedule of vaccines to be fully protected.

In Victoria, immunisation against whooping cough is free for: children at two (from six weeks), four and six months of age – in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine (six-in-one vaccine) children at 18 months of age – in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine (three-in-one vaccine) children at four years of age – in the form of a diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough and polio vaccine (four-in-one vaccine) adolescents in secondary school (or age equivalent) – adolescents receive a booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine (three-in-one vaccine).

The dose can also be given by a doctor or at a council community immunisation session pregnant women from 28 weeks gestation during every pregnancy partners of women who are at least 28 weeks pregnant if the partner has not received a pertussis booster in the last ten years parents or guardians of babies born on or after 1 June 2015, if their baby is under six months of age and they have not received a pertussis booster in the last ten years children up to and including nine years – catch-up immunisations are available for children who have not been fully vaccinated vulnerable eligible people aged ten years and over – catch-up immunisations are available for people who have not been fully vaccinated. If you are not sure whether you are eligible for immunisation against whooping cough that is free of charge, ask your doctor. Adult immunisation against whooping cough Childcare, healthcare workers and some adults should also be vaccinated, especially those who are, or will be, in close contact with babies. The whooping cough vaccine for adolescents and adults also contains diphtheria and tetanus protection in a combination vaccine. Immunity provided by the vaccine can start to decrease after two years and stops completely by 10 years.

Pregnancy and whooping cough immunisation A combination vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough is recommended preferably in the third trimester of every pregnancy, or as soon as possible after the birth of your baby. Women who are breastfeeding can receive the combination vaccines. Speak with your doctor for more information. Immunisation and HALO The immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO. Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care has health, age, lifestyle or occupation factors that could mean immunisation is necessary. You can check your immunisation HALO using the Immunisation for Life infographic. Where to get help In an emergency, always call triple zero (000) Emergency department of your nearest hospital Your local government immunisation service Maternal and Child Health Line (24 hours) Tel. 132 229 NURSE-ON-CALL Tel. 1300 60 60 24 – for expert health information and advice (24 hours, 7 days) Immunisation Section, Department of Health, Victorian Government Tel.

1300 882 008 National Immunisation Information Line Tel. 1800 671 811 Pharmacist Things to remember Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. The major symptom of whooping cough is the characteristic cough, which is often followed by a 'whooping' sound on inhalation. One in every 200 babies who contract whooping cough will die. Immunisation is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. References Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), hepatitis B, poliomyelitis (polio) and haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) – immunisation information, 2013, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government. More information here. Adult and adolescent diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), 2012, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government. More information here. Adolescent diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis).

Recommended vaccine for Year 10 secondary school students, 2012, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government. More information here. The Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition, 2013, Immunise Australia Program, Department of Health, Australian Government. More information here. Immunisation schedule Victoria, 2015 , Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government. More information here. National Immunisation Program Schedule. From 1 July 2013, Immunise Australia Program, Department of Health, Australian Government. More information here. Vaccine side effects, 2013, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government. More information here. Pre-immunisation checklist – what to tell your doctor or nurse before immunisation, 2013, Department of Health and Human Services, Victorian Government. More information here. Victorian Government – Immunisation. Content Partner This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Department of Health and Human Services - RHP&R - Health Protection - Communicable Disease Prevention and Control Unit Last updated: March 2016 Page content currently being reviewed. Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only.

Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions. Your trusted health companion through life Anytime, anywhere access to Australia's most trusted and reliable health information. Adacel (Tdap) (Tdap) medical facts from Drugs.com What is Adacel (Tdap) (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine Tdap) (Tdap)? Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Tetanus (lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to "locking" of the jaw so the victim cannot open the mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in about 1 out of 10 cases. Diphtheria causes a thick coating in the nose, throat, and airways.

It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, or death. Pertussis (whooping cough) causes coughing so severe that it interferes with eating, drinking, or breathing. These spells can last for weeks and can lead to pneumonia, seizures (convulsions), brain damage, and death. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through a cut or wound. The diphtheria, tetanus acellular, and pertussis adult vaccine (also called Tdap) is used to help prevent these diseases in people who are at least 10 years old. Most people in this age group require only one Tdap shot for protection against these diseases. Tdap vaccine is especially important for healthcare workers or people who have close contact with a baby younger than 12 months old. This vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body. Like any vaccine, the Tdap vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person. What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?

You should not receive this vaccine if you have ever had had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis vaccine. You also should not receive this vaccine if you had a neurologic disorder affecting your brain within 7 days after having a previous pertussis vaccine. Slideshow What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine? You should not receive this vaccine if: you had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine that contains tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis; or you had a neurologic disorder affecting your brain (such as loss of consciousness or a prolonged seizure) within 7 days after having a previous pertussis vaccine.

You may not be able to receive a Tdap vaccine if you have ever received a similar vaccine that caused any of the following: a very high fever (over 104 degrees Fahrenheit); a neurologic disorder or disease affecting the brain; fainting or going into shock; severe pain, redness, tenderness, swelling, or a lump where the shot was given; an allergy to latex rubber; severe or uncontrolled epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or Guillain-Barré syndrome (within 6 weeks after receiving a vaccine containing tetanus). If you have any of these other conditions, your vaccine may need to be postponed or not given at all: a history of seizures; a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or if it has been less than 10 years since you last received a tetanus shot. You can still receive a vaccine if you have a minor cold. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until you get better before receiving this vaccine. It is not known whether Tdap vaccine will harm an unborn baby. However, you may need a Tdap vaccine during pregnancy to protect your newborn baby from pertussis.

Young babies are most at risk for severe, life-threatening complications from pertussis. Your doctor should determine whether you need this vaccine during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry. This is to track the outcome of the pregnancy and to evaluate any effects of the Tdap vaccine on the baby. It is not known whether Tdap vaccine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. The adult version of this vaccine (Adacel, Boostrix) should not be given to anyone under the age of 10. Another vaccine is available for use in children younger than 10 years old. How is this vaccine given? This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a doctor's office or clinic setting. Tdap vaccine is usually given as a one-time injection. Unless your doctor's tells you otherwise, you will not need a booster vaccine. Tdap vaccine is usually given once every 10 years. What happens if I miss a dose? Since the Tdap vaccine is usually given only once, you are not likely to miss a dose. What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur. What should I avoid before or after receiving this vaccine? Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after receiving a Tdap vaccine. This vaccine side effects Keep track of any and all side effects you have after receiving this vaccine. If you ever need to receive a booster dose, you will need to tell your doctor if the previous shot caused any side effects. You should not receive a booster vaccine if you had a life threatening allergic reaction after the first shot. Becoming infected with diphtheria, pertussis, or tetanus is much more dangerous to your health than receiving this vaccine. However, like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these side effects within 7 days after receiving Tdap vaccine: numbness, weakness, or tingling in your feet and legs; problems with walking or coordination; sudden pain in your arms or shoulders; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; vision problems, ringing in your ears; seizure (black-out or convulsions); or redness, swelling, bleeding, or severe pain where the shot was given. Common side effects may include: mild pain or tenderness where the shot was given; headache or tiredness; body aches; or mild nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report vaccine side effects to the US Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-822-7967. What other drugs will affect Adacel (Tdap) (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine Tdap)? Before receiving this vaccine, tell your doctor about all other vaccines you have recently received.

Also tell the doctor if you have recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including: an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine; medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders; or medicines to treat or prevent organ transplant rejection. If you are using any of these medications, you may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished. This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with this vaccine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide. Tetanus Prophylaxis Where can I get more information? Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about this vaccine. Additional information is available from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect.

Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Copyright 1996-2012 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.01.

Last reviewed: August 19, 2016 Date modified: November 30, 2016 Drug Status Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Whooping Cough (Pertussis) What is whooping cough (pertussis)? Whooping cough, or pertussis, mainly affects infants and young children. Pertussis causes intense fits or spells (paroxysms) of coughing. The cough often ends with the characteristic whooping sound as air is inhaled. Whooping cough causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants and children to eat, drink, or breathe. These spells can last for weeks. In infants, it may cause periods of apnea (not breathing). Whooping cough caused thousands of deaths in the 1930s and 1940s. But, with the advent of the pertussis vaccine, the rate of disease and death has declined dramatically. Recent epidemics have occurred in areas where vaccine rates have fallen. Even though pertussis vaccines are very effective, if pertussis is spreading in the community, there is a chance that a fully vaccinated person can catch the disease.

The vaccine's protection also wears off over time, meaning that teens and adults who have not had a booster may help spread the disease during an outbreak. What causes whooping cough? Whooping cough is caused by the Bordetella pertussis bacterium. It is spread from person to person through droplets in the air (coughing and sneezing) and is highly contagious. Once the bacteria are in the child's airways, swelling of the airways and mucus production starts. Usually, the disease starts like the common cold, with a runny nose or congestion, sneezing, and sometimes a mild cough or fever. Usually, after 1 to 2 weeks, severe coughing begins. What are the facts about whooping cough? Although the disease can usually be prevented with the vaccine, it is not 100% effective. Whooping cough is worse for children under 1 year of age and is fatal is some cases. In the U.S., thousands of new cases are reported each year. What are the symptoms of whooping cough? The disease usually takes 1 to 3 weeks to incubate, with the child usually passing through 3 stages.

The following are the most common symptoms of whooping cough, according to each stage. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. In infants, the cough may be very hard to hear. Infants may have a pause in breathing called "apnea" instead of a cough. If you notice this, call your child's healthcare provider or take your child to the hospital immediately. Symptoms may include: Catarrhal stage (often lasts 1 to 2 weeks): Mild cough Acute phase (may last for 1 to 6 weeks; can persist to 10 weeks): Cough gets worse and comes in severe fits Cough is dry and harsh Cough ends with a whoop sound on inspiration Child may vomit with the coughing and appear to be strangling on the vomit Cough can be started by many factors, including feeding, crying, or playing Recovery phase (weeks to months): Vomiting and the whooping cough cease first The cough usually decreases around the sixth week, but may continue on occasion for the next 1 to 2 months. Whooping cough used to be called the "100-day cough" because it can last for weeks to months. Whooping cough can lead to pneumonia and other complications.

The symptoms of whooping cough may look like other medical conditions. Always see your child's healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is whooping cough diagnosed? Your child's healthcare provider will review his or her medical history and do a physical exam. Whooping cough is often confirmed with a culture (mucus, nasal secretions) taken from the nose. What is the treatment for whooping cough? Your child’s healthcare provider will figure out the best treatment based on: How old your child is His or her overall health and medical history How sick he or she is How well your child can handle specific medicines, procedures, or therapies How long the condition is expected to last Your opinion or preference In some cases, the child may be hospitalized for supportive care and monitoring. Sometimes, oxygen and intravenous (IV) fluids are needed until the child starts to recover. Your child's healthcare provider may order antibiotic treatment. Depending on when they are started, antibiotics may not shorten the course of illness, but they will prevent the spread of infection to others. Family members and other people who have been in close contact with the child usually are started on antibiotic therapy, regardless of whether they have received the vaccine or not.

Other treatment may include the following: Keeping your child comfortably warm Feeding your child small, frequent meals Giving your child plenty of fluids Preventing situations that cause coughing How can whooping cough be prevented? The whooping cough vaccine is routinely given to children in the first year of life. But, cases of the disease still occur, especially in infants younger than 6 months of age. Since the immunity from the vaccine declines over time (often 10 to 20 years), older adults who have been in close contact with a child with whooping cough (such as a grandparent) are also especially at risk. According to the CDC, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases of pertussis since the 1980s. The CDC recommends that children get 5 DTaP shots for maximum protection against pertussis. A DTaP shot is a combination vaccine that protects against 3 diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The first 3 shots are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.

Between 15 and 18 months of age, the fourth shot is given, and a fifth shot when a child enters school at 4 to 6 years of age. At regular checkups for 11- or 12-year-olds, a preteen should get a dose of Tdap. The Tdap booster contains tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. All adults over 19 who haven't had the Tdap should have a dose, as should all pregnant women in their third trimester or every pregnancy, even if they have had the Tdap before. Adults should then have a Td booster every 10 years but shouldn't wait to get Tdap if they recently had a Td booster. Always see your child's healthcare provider for advice. Online Medical Reviewer: Freeborn, Donna, PhD, CNM, FNP Online Medical Reviewer: Lentnek, Arnold, MD Date Last Reviewed: 9/1/2016 © 2000-2017 The StayWell Company, LLC. 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. Contact Our Health Professionals Pertussis | Whooping Cough | Signs and Symptoms | CDC Signs and Symptoms Pertussis (whooping cough) can cause serious illness in babies, children, teens, and adults. Symptoms of pertussis usually develop within 5 to 10 days after being exposed, but sometimes not for as long as 3 weeks. Early Symptoms In those who have been vaccinated: In most cases, the cough won’t last as many days Coughing fits, whooping, and vomiting after coughing fits occur less often The percentage of children with apnea (long pause in breathing), cyanosis (blue/purplish skin coloration due to lack of oxygen) and vomiting is less The disease usually starts with cold-like symptoms and maybe a mild cough or fever. In babies, the cough can be minimal or not even there. Babies may have a symptom known as "apnea." Apnea is a pause in the child's breathing pattern. Pertussis is most dangerous for babies. About half of babies younger than 1 year who get the disease need care in the hospital.

Learn more about pertussis complications . Early symptoms can last for 1 to 2 weeks and usually include: Runny nose Low-grade fever (generally minimal throughout the course of the disease) Mild, occasional cough Apnea – a pause in breathing (in babies) Because pertussis in its early stages appears to be nothing more than the common cold, it is often not suspected or diagnosed until the more severe symptoms appear. Top of Page Pertussis in Babies It is important to know that many babies with pertussis don’t cough at all. Instead it causes them to stop breathing and turn blue. Later-stage Symptoms After 1 to 2 weeks and as the disease progresses, the traditional symptoms of pertussis may appear and include: Paroxysms (fits) of many, rapid coughs followed by a high-pitched "whoop" Vomiting (throwing up) during or after coughing fits Exhaustion (very tired) after coughing fits Pertussis can cause violent and rapid coughing, over and over, until the air is gone from the lungs and you are forced to inhale with a loud "whooping" sound. This extreme coughing can cause you to throw up and be very tired.

Although you are often exhausted after a coughing fit, you usually appear fairly well in-between. Coughing fits generally become more common and bad as the illness continues, and can occur more often at night. The coughing fits can go on for up to 10 weeks or more. In China, pertussis is known as the "100 day cough." However, the "whoop" is often not there for people who have milder (less serious) disease. The infection is generally milder in teens and adults, especially those who have been vaccinated. Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Whooping Cough (Pertussis) La tos ferina Whooping cough (pertussis) is an infection of the respiratory system caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis (or B. pertussis). It mainly affects babies younger than 6 months old who aren't yet protected by immunizations, and kids 11 to 18 years old whose immunity has started to fade. Whooping cough causes severe coughing spells, which can sometimes end in a "whooping" sound when the child breathes in.

Before a vaccine was available, pertussis killed about 9,000 people in the United States each year. Now, the pertussis vaccine has reduced the annual number of deaths to less than 20. But in recent years, the number of cases has started to rise. In 2012, the number of whooping cough cases spiked up to almost 50,000, the highest level since the 1950s. Signs & Symptoms The first symptoms of whooping cough are similar to those of a common cold: runny nose mild cough low-grade fever After about 1 to 2 weeks, the dry, irritating cough evolves into coughing spells. During a coughing spell, which can last for more than a minute, a child may turn red or purple. At the end of a spell, the child may make the characteristic whooping sound when breathing in or may vomit. Between spells, the child usually feels well. While many infants and younger kids with whooping cough develop the coughing fits and accompanying whoop, not all do. And sometimes babies don't cough or whoop as older kids do.

Infants may look as if they're gasping for air with a reddened face and may actually stop breathing (this is called apnea) for a few seconds during very bad spells. Adults and teens may have milder or different symptoms, such as a prolonged cough (rather than coughing spells) or coughing without the whoop. continue Contagiousness Pertussis is highly contagious. The bacteria spread from person to person through tiny drops of fluid from an infected person's nose or mouth. These may become airborne when the person sneezes, coughs, or laughs. Others then can become infected by inhaling the drops or getting the drops on their hands and then touching their mouths or noses. Infected people are most contagious during the earliest stages of the illness for up to about 2 weeks after the cough begins. Antibiotics shorten the period of contagiousness to 5 days following the start of antibiotic treatment. Prevention Whooping cough can be prevented with the pertussis vaccine , which is part of the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis) immunization . DTaP immunizations are routinely given in five doses before a child's sixth birthday.

For additional protection in case immunity fades, experts recommend that kids ages 11-18 get a booster shot of the new combination vaccine (called Tdap), ideally when they're 11 or 12 years old. The Tdap vaccine is similar to DTaP but with lower concentrations of diphtheria and tetanus toxoid. It also should be given to adults who did not receive it as preteens or teens. The vaccine is also recommended for all pregnant women during the second half of each pregnancy, regardless of whether or not they had the vaccine before, or when it was last given. Getting the vaccine is especially important for people who are in close contact with infants, because babies can develop severe and potentially life-threatening complications from whooping cough. An adult's immunity to whooping cough lessens over time, so getting vaccinated and protecting yourself against the infection also helps protect your infant or child from getting it. As is the case with all immunization schedules, there are important exceptions and special circumstances. Your doctor will have the most current information. People who live with or come into close contact with someone who has pertussis should receive antibiotics to prevent the spread of the disease, even if they've already been vaccinated against it.

Young kids who have not received all five doses of the vaccine may need a booster dose if exposed to an infected family member. Incubation The incubation period (the time between infection and the start of symptoms) for whooping cough is usually 7 to 10 days, but can be as long as 21 days. previous continue Duration Pertussis usually causes prolonged symptoms — 1 to 2 weeks of common cold symptoms, followed by up to 3 months of severe coughing. The last stage consists of another few weeks of recovery with gradual clearing of symptoms. In some children, the recovery period can last for months. Treatment Call the doctor if you suspect that your child has whooping cough. To make a diagnosis, the doctor will take a medical history, do a thorough physical exam, and may take nose and throat mucus samples to be checked in a lab. Blood tests and a chest X-ray also might be done. Whooping cough is treated with antibiotics. Many experts believe that antibiotics are most effective in shortening the length of the infection when they're given in the first stage of the illness, before coughing spells begin.

But even if antibiotics are started later, they're still important because they can stop the spread of the pertussis infection to others. Ask your doctor whether preventive antibiotics or vaccine boosters for other family members are needed. Some kids with whooping cough need to be treated in a hospital. Babies and younger children are more likely to be hospitalized because they're at greater risk for problems like pneumonia . Whooping cough can be life-threatening for infants younger than 6 months, so they almost always need hospital treatment. Other potential complications include difficulty breathing, periods of apnea, needing oxygen (particularly during a coughing spell), and dehydration . While in the hospital, a child may need suctioning to clear the airways. Breathing will be watched closely, and oxygen given if needed. Intravenous (IV) fluids might be needed if a child shows signs of dehydration or has difficulty eating. Precautions will be taken to prevent the infection from spreading to other patients, hospital staff, and visitors. previous continue Home Care If your child is being treated for pertussis at home, follow the schedule for giving antibiotics exactly as your doctor prescribed. Giving cough medicine probably will not help, as even the strongest usually can't relieve the coughing spells of whooping cough.

The cough is actually the body's way of trying to clear the airways. (Due to potential side effects, cough medicines are never recommended for children under age 6.) During recovery, let your child rest in bed and use a cool-mist vaporizer to help soothe irritated lungs and breathing passages. (Be sure to follow directions for keeping it clean and mold-free.) And keep your home free of irritants that can trigger coughing spells, such as aerosol sprays; tobacco smoke; and smoke from cooking, fireplaces, and wood-burning stoves. Kids with whooping cough may vomit or not eat or drink much because of the coughing. So offer smaller, more frequent meals and encourage your child to drink lots of fluids. Watch for signs of dehydration, including thirst, irritability, restlessness, lethargy, sunken eyes, a dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, crying without tears, and fewer trips to the bathroom to pee (or in infants, fewer wet diapers). When to Call the Doctor Call the doctor if you think that your child has whooping cough or has been exposed to someone with whooping cough, even if your child has already had all scheduled pertussis immunizations.

This is especially important if your child has long coughing spells and: the coughing make your child's skin or lips turn red, purple, or blue your child vomits after coughing there's a whooping sound after the cough your child has trouble breathing or seems to have brief periods of not breathing (apnea) your child seems very sluggish If your child has been diagnosed with whooping cough and is being treated at home, get immediate medical care if he or she develops difficulty breathing or shows signs of dehydration.

Question: Usually affecting children, the medical condition pertussis is better known by what name?
Answer: Whooping cough